FishTank

P5 Super Destroyer for me.

When I am using a #1 hook I'm on light line and lighter equipment, like 8lb fluorocarbon and a Med power rod. I use 50lb braid when I fish heavy vegetation, lily pads, etc. With this hook I would forgo the braid and maybe go to some 12lb or lighter mono or fluorocarbon. Then set your drag appropriately. I only put my drag close to all the way when I'm flipping into some thick lily pads. Like mentioned above, you have a finesse hook on power fishing gear.

I have been using the Ryugi Infini #1 for the same kind of stuff. I haven't bent one out yet. Keep in mind you do need to set your drag appropriately for the hook and if you are using straight braid, the chances of bending a small hook out increases. A leader is helpful in this scenario.

I have the Super Destroyer and it's kind of my do all rod when I am kayak fishing. I have fished a weightless senko up to the Magdraft on this rod. It does a good job with jigs but it can also launch a crankbait. For spinnerbaits, I like it for 1/2oz but not so much for a 3/8oz. I can't say why but it might just be a personal preference. The thing I don't like about this rod, and it's minor, is the handle. It's slick but it fits my hand well. The Super Destroyer is a multi-taper rod so it takes some getting use to but it's fun fish. The tip is soft, followed by a stiff upper section, it then soften ups in the middle, and finally stiffens just above the handle. It's great at pinning fish. In the P5 line up, two other rods to look at (I don't own them), the Dark Sleeper and the Cyclone. Both have been touted as do all rods. One P5 rod I do own but it would be on the lighter side of things, is the Z-Crank Elseil. I have been using it for 110 +1 JR, the regular 110, 3/8 and 1/2 oz cranks, and 1/2oz spinnerbaits. The tip on this rod is fantastic. It has this soft vibrating point that will cause a bait to have this sort of shaking motion. Also, when you are working a jerk bait the tip recovers quickly. I would not use this rod for frogs though, everything else topwater would be fine.

You should be fine. I always use a MH Fast for the topwater lures mentioned. I can't recall having an issue.

This time of year in stained water, a 2.75in Swammer or 2.8in Keitech and 1/8oz ball head with #1 hook. In clear water, a 3in Megabass Spark Shad or a 6th Sense Whale. A Roboworm and a 1/8oz shakeyhead Megabass Pop-x and the Karashi Megabass Griffon Drop Shot Flat Worm Ned Rig Craw baits and a Hellgramite

I set things up the night before. It gives me an idea where to start and how to approach my day. On the other hand, I have gone to lakes that were new to me and totally cut everything off and started the process over.

Nope. Leave it alone.

My Shimano Symetre is about 12 years old and my Stradic FI is about 14 years. Both are going strong and feel almost like new. I sold a Stradic FH last year that was 15 years old. I got about the same price I payed for it. I also sold a Sustain FD years ago. It too was a solid reel. I also had a Saraha 500 or 750, can't remember. I burnt this reel up bringing in a 40+ catfish. The reel was toast but it did bring it in. So I guess when they die or can't be maintained. I currently have two Vanquishes and a Twin Power that I have purchased in recent years. Both these reels are light years beyond anything else that I fished. Even though I have two Daiwa spinning reels I really like, I think Shimano has that special magic when it comes to spinning reels.

Yes on the YGK line. When I'm using that line I'm in heavy weeds and lily pads. I haven't had an issue yet besides everything I'm around is green anyways . I'm either using a frog or throwing a punching jig on this setup. If I need to, I put on a heavy leader. One thing on the Upgrade X8, it cuts through grass fine but lily pads can be challenging. I think an X4 would cut better. The line itself is rated at 50lbs but has a diameter of what would be around 30lb Sufix 832. I have no issues with it digging in yet. Here is where I live with most of my topwater. The first one is a Daiwa Zillion HD with Upgrade 50lb on NRX+ 895C. Next Steez A II with 14lb Sunline Invisible on NRX+ 853 (poppers and small frogs). Last, a 2012 Anteras with 16lb Sunline Machinegun Cast mono on a Megabass Valkyrie 7'1'' H.

I wanted to get a spinning setup for hair jigs and one that could also handle small swimbaits. So I picked up a Megabass P5 Whippet and a Shimano Twin Power C2000S. I have been fishing this set up for about a week and have been killing it. I did post some thoughts on this in another thread but the reel is super smooth and built to handle some big fish. The rod though has been blowing my mind. I am a big fan of my NRX+ rods but the Whippet might be more sensitive and that is saying something. The exposed rod blank hits my hand just right, as to where the NRX is making contact with fingers. It's different but somehow I think I'm feeling more bites as I am catching fish left and right. My only issue has been the lack of quality fish lately and the rod is also slow to load, unlike every NRX I have.

I've been fishing frogs for years and never really thought about this but I get what you are saying. After fishing various frogs on three different set ups last night to see which one will cast further, I didn't get a clear winner on a reel. They just went a certain distance, turned head up and stalled the cast out. My problem was accuracy and wind. And if the OP is an area with overhanging trees, that will minimize the distance as well. I did get some extra distance when switching to a MH rod though but it wasn't significant. As far as line goes YGK Upgrade X8 #3 gave me the best distance. It's around a 30-40lb equivalent of most US lines. 16lb FC wasn't to far behind but not ideal for a frog. Also, I didn't catch a single fish on a frog but killed it on a 3in swimbait. Go figure.

Deps 3.0. Over your price range but if you can get it from a JDM site, it's not too bad. I caught several on the Sexy Shad color last year. It is a big heavy bait and gets down deep if you burn it but it comes through wood and cover amazingly well. I have yet to get snagged with it. It just bounces around.

One dumb thought..... Are you using a snap? I watched the video again and noticed when he is talking about the bait, the ones he has in hand don't have a snap but the ones he is fishing do. If you are tying direct, that can change the action of the lure.

Nice reel and it sounds like what would throw it on. My only other thoughts would be that you're casting out far enough that the FC is sinking some during the retrieve, causing the bait to get out of sorts. Seems odd but I have seen this with BFS topwater baits, like the Megadog X Jr BFS, and the 5lb FC I'm using. I find it's better to use braid to leader in this scenario. Also, I don't know anything about your particular lure as I have not fished it but it has been around for a littlewhile, seems to sell pretty well and you are the first I could find that has had an issue. It makes me think you got a dud lure. It happens, even with best quality lures made. You might reach out to the manufacturer and see what they have to say. As far as a bad lure goes, my current gripe goes against Core Tackle and the Wacky Shot. I get bit, drive the hook in, and the fish pop off easily. I was around 0 for 20 in getting fish in the boat with this piece of tackle.

I'm not sure. I was so wowed by the reel itself, I never really thought about it. It is cool though.

I have used these with no issues but I haven't tried anything else for BFS lures. Some baits come without split rings and I use these instead.

Contact the guys at the Hook Up Tackle. I'm sure you're not the first. Nice fish though.

Are you using spinning gear? Many years ago I had a pencil bait with a tailspin that did something similar. It was around 1/4oz. It was difficult to cast on the gear I had so I throw it on a spinning set up. I eventually got a Med casting rod that I could cast it on and problem solved. It had a similar action to a whooper popper but you could also walk it.

Where was it purchased?

I use a Megabass Valkyrie 7'1'' Heavy for most frogs. It has an extendable handle. It's great if you really want to two hand bomb cast a lure.

When I first got the 100, I thought it was a slightly different size than the 2020 but they are the same. The odd thing the 100 feels and fishes differently than the 2020. I can't really explain it but mine is slightly smoother and cast further than 2020. Both fun reels though. I use the 2020 for jigs and the 100 for spinnerbaits and bladed jigs.

I own each one. There are few I have that I didn't mention that probably could have made the list, like the Bantam, the Zillion HD and the Core 100. I just don't use certain reels for long distance casting and haven't really tested them at my pond like the others. The BB1 isn't a bad caster. It has been finicky for me though and I am constantly adjusting the brakes. I have tried the same 12lb FC on it as well as 10lb Sufix Elite and Siege. It just didn't cast as far as the others. I have cleaned it, soaked the bearings, and it still doesn't perform as well as the rest. Don't get me wrong, I like this reel. I beat it to death last year using it for jerkbaits (110's mainly) on a Megabass Levante Jerkbait Special. Another thing about it that bothers me is the drag. It's pretty jerky at times. It will slip and then tighten up. It's odd but with all that, it does bring in the fish. Also, the way the reel palms is great for working a jerkbait. In the end, I think I only paid about $140 for this reel and I am happy with it but it would not be my first choice for a lot of things.

I use one of these to wrap the line around and for tying leader knots. I've seen too many damaged reels that have been used as winches to pull out a snag to know better than to tighten the drag all the way down.

I received my new Twin Power yesterday and got a chance to test it out. It's a smooth little powerhouse. It pairs perfectly with the P5 Whippet. The retrieve is similar to the Vanquish but that's about it. It's heavier but not much. The drag is tight from the moment a fish hits, unlike the Vanquish which is slow to start. Paired with the Whippet, which has a soft tip and a pretty powerful midsection, it just works. For the JDM price, this reel is a no brainer. This is my first P5 spinning rod though and the reel handle takes some getting use to but once figure out the best hand position, it's fantastic. With the exposed blank touching your hand, it might be more sensitive than a NRX+. If anything, the sensitivity when a fish hits is unique and fun. I will need to fish both of them side by side to get a better sense of their capabilities.